Let us know about Soybean during pregnancy. The joy of your child coming into the world is greater than any other joy! If you are a little careless about your diet and nutrition at this time, it can cause problems for you and your baby, so it is not too late, you can still get your diet on track. Some foods during pregnancy are considered very good for your baby, while some foods should not be a part of your pregnancy diet. So now the question is, in which list should soybean be included, if these questions are also in your mind, then in this article you have been given all the information related to consuming soybean during pregnancy. Let’s find out!
What is soybean?
Belonging to the legume family, soybean is one of the best sources of protein. It is mainly found in the eastern part of Asia, but now it is also grown in many other parts of the world. Basically its pods are yellow in colour, but green, brown and black varieties are also available.
Nutritional Value of Soybean
Soybean is very nutritious and one cup of soybean contains iron, magnesium, fiber, omega-3 fat, vitamin K, manganese, phosphorus and copper etc. Apart from this, soybean is also a good source of flavonoids and isoflavonoids, phytoalexins, phytosterols, phenolic acids, proteins, saponins and peptides.
Benefits of consuming soybean during pregnancy
This superfood is rich in nutrients. Some of the benefits of consuming this excellent food are given below:
1. Rich in Protein
Protein is essential for a pregnant woman and it becomes quite difficult for you to get your daily dose of protein if you are a vegetarian. However, consuming soybean during pregnancy is a good option to meet your protein needs.
2. Excellent source of omega-3 acids
Omega 3 is very important for the development of a growing child. Omega 3 acid is present in good amount in fish, but if you do not like to eat fish or you are a vegetarian, then you can also include soybean in your diet.
3. Good option for lactose intolerant people
If you have problems with lactose, you can include soybean milk in your diet, you can use it in place of milk.
4. Helpful in Lowering Cholesterol Levels
You can include soybeans in your diet to reduce your cholesterol level.
5. Helpful in fighting obesity
Obesity is the main reason for other diseases and it can be troublesome for you during pregnancy. Including soybeans in your diet will also keep you full for a long time and at the same time, it will help you to control your weight.
6. Provides nutrition to the baby
There are many nutrients present in soybean which is very beneficial for the development of your baby.
7. Helps prevent birth defects
Soybeans are a good source of folate and zinc. Both these minerals help prevent birth defects in the baby.
Is It Safe to Consume Soybean Oil When Pregnant?
Soybean is rich in phytic acid. This acid helps in preventing heavy metals like uranium, lead, mercury etc. in the body, which are harmful to our health. However, it can hinder the absorption of many other minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc and calcium, which are important for the development of the child. In addition, soybeans lower cholesterol levels, but cholesterol is essential during pregnancy to produce pregnancy hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and vitamin D. For all these reasons, you may be wondering whether it is good to consume soybeans during pregnancy. So the answer is yes! But to avoid its side effects, consume it in limited quantity. You can safely consume one or two servings of soybeans a day.
Should I eat soya bean during pregnancy?
Yes, you can have edamame or soy beans during pregnancy if you are not allergic to any soy products. Also, make sure you clean it thoroughly before use to reduce the risk of exposure to toxoplasmosis (a dangerous bacteria) that could harm you or your baby.
Risks of Consuming Soybeans During Pregnancy
Be it soya chunks or soya sauce, it is very important to know about its pros and cons before including anything in your pregnancy diet. Thus there are some risks of soybean as well which are mentioned below to you:
1. Increases the risk of breast cancer
Consuming soy products in excess during pregnancy can increase the estrogen level in the body. The increased amount of estrogen can increase the chances of getting breast cancer.
2. It has high presence of pesticides
It has been found that soybeans contain pesticides in significant amounts which can prove to be very harmful for you and your baby. This can lead to many health problems, such as reproductive issues and hormonal imbalance.
3. Causes urological defects
It has been observed that women who consume high amounts of soy products during pregnancy give birth to baby(s) with urological defects.
4. Blocks Mineral Absorption
Being a good source of phytic acid, consuming soybean products can block the mineral absorption in your body. Some of these minerals like zinc, iron, calcium etc. play a huge role in the development of the child.
5. Causes obstruction in protein digestion
Trypsin is a component found in raw soybeans. Trypsin hinders protein digestion in the body. The lectins component present in soy products reacts with the intestinal lining and hinders the absorption of nutrients.
6. Presence of Phytoestrogens
The presence of phytoestrogens in soybeans affects estrogen levels in the body of the expectant mother, and fetuses are sensitive to changes in estrogen levels.
Things to keep in mind while consuming soybeans during pregnancy
Here are some things you should keep in mind while including soya in your pregnancy diet:
- Consume soybeans in limited quantity.
- Ask your doctor about the amount you should consume.
- Studies show that a baby’s body is more sensitive to high levels of estrogen, which can be increased by consuming soybeans.
Soybeans are rich in various nutrients, although it is wise to ask your doctor before including them in your diet.
